cokbett



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. OORBBTT.

GRAVE VAULT.

,917Q Patented Aug. 11, 1885.

WITNESSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. GORBETT.

GRAVE VAULT.

No. 323,917. Patented Aug. 11, 1885.

WIIJVESSES J7 Q06,

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM CORBETT, OF SMITHS FALLS, ONTARIO, CANADA.

G RAV E-VAU LT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,917, dated August 11, 1885.

Application filed May 23, 1885.

certain new and useful Improvementsin Grave- Vaults, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vaults or boxes for the reception of burial caskets or coffins; and the invention consists in the means and construction hereinafter described, whereby such vault orbox is rendered more proof against the invasions of grave-robbers, and also in preventing the es cape of foul gases and odors from putrefying bodies in case of a too shallow burial.

In the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like parts are denoted by similar letters of reference, Figure 1 is a top plan View of the vault; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section on .the line on (if; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view on the liney'y. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of the spring-hinge catch. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of my improved catch-holding lug. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the spring used in the catch.

The letter A designates the outer casing, which may be constructed of any suitable material. B indicates an inner metallic lining for said case. 0 is a lid also having a lining or facing of sheet metal. This facing or lining is preferably secured by countersinking bolts into the material of the outer casing and lock-nut on the inside, or I may use clinched nails for this purpose. To the under side of the lid 0 I secure, after suitable arrangement, a number of what I have designatec spring hinge-catches. Each of these catches, (as best shown in Fig. 3,) consists of a slotted plate, a, and hooked arm I), hinged together at o. The hinge c is preferably a stop-hinge to prevent the arm I) from standing away from the plate a at an angle greater than a right angle. These catches are secured to the lid by means of screw-bolts (I passed through the metal facing of the lid and the slots in the plate a and curved spring a, all being held together by the nuts (6. The end of the spring a presses against the hook-arm b, and tends to throw it outwardly. The hook-engaging lug, as shown in Fig. 4, consists of a cylinder or tube, 1, having a longitudinal slit, 0, and se- (No model.)

cured or cast with it the slotted fasteningplates d. At the lower end of this tube or cylinder is an inclined plate, 6. This catchholding lug just described is an improved and preferred form; but it may be modified, or any of the known lugs suitable for the purpose may be employed. By forming these parts with the slots for passing the securingbolts through they may be nicely adjusted.

WVhen the parts of the vault herein described are secured in place and ready for use, the lid is applied by placing'the same upon the top of the box in such manner that the catch-arms b will pass down through the tube 6 of the catch-holding lug and be thereby guided up the inclined catch-plate, and when the lid is completely down the spring will force the hook beneath the catch and thereby secure the lid from removal.

Any kind or any degree of thickness of metal may be employed; but that kind which will withstand the action of the elements 'with which it comes in contact is preferred.

It will be seen that access to the casket or coffin when the lid of the vault is once in place is exceedingly difficult, and by means of the adjustability of the lid-securing means the lid can be made to fit very closely upon the vault, thus preventing the rapid escape of foul gases.

Instead of the spring hinge-arm herein described I may use, in connection with my im- 7 proved hook-holding device, a hook-arm made rigid with its fastening-plate. 7

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The improved spring hook-catch for securing the lid of a burial vault or casket, consisting of a slotted plate for securing the same to the lid, a downwardly-extending hook-arm hinged to said fastening-plate, and a curved slotted spring secured to the slotted arm of the spring-hook and having its free end bearingagainst the hook-arm, as shown and described.

2. The improved catch-holding lug herein described, consisting of the tubular portion 6, with the longitudinal slit 6, the inclined hook-catch plate 6, and fastening-plates d, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 

